Anchoring retainer for threaded fasteners

ABSTRACT

An anchoring retainer is provided for mounting at one side of a supporting structure such as a wall or ceiling having a through or restrictive opening therein through which the retainer is first inserted to reach one side of the structure or for mounting in a blind hole in a concrete floor or wall. Generally the same retainer may be used with a through opening or blind hole. The retainer, adapted to be used with a threaded element, comprises a flexible unitary one-piece body made from a plastic material. The body has an axis, is of generally triangular configuration and has at the apex thereof a sleeve provided with an opening surrounding the axis through which the threaded element extends. The sleeve has a pair of integrally formed outwardly diverging elongated flexible legs. An elongated flexible strut of V-shape is spaced axially from the sleeve and includes a central strut portion located beneath and spaced from the sleeve along with a pair of outwardly diverging strut portions which are integrally connected to the central strut portion and to the flexible legs near the outer ends thereof. When the retainer is used at one side of the structure the threaded element is threaded into the sleeve opening of the internally triangulated retainer and as a result thereof the strut is placed in tension and moves toward the structure thereby controlling the spread of the legs while such legs tightly grip the structure and are placed in compression.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 929,689,filed July 31, 1978, now abandoned which in turn is acontinuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 803,806, filed June 6,1977, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,581.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to expandable or flexible retainers and fastenerassemblies, particularly for use in providing a support on a hollow orsolid wall, ceiling or other supporting structure by which variousobjects may be suspended or attached to the supporting structure. It iscommon practice to use a "molly bolt". The retainers may also be used in"blind" hole applications.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Retainers or fasteners assemblies of the type disclosed herein have beenknown for a long time in a great variety of embodiments for wall panels,ceilings and other supporting structures, including retainers andfastener assemblies having an expandable portion which by its expansionafter mounting, abuts the rear surface of the supporting structure.Blind hole anchors are also known.

While some of the prior art devices have certain features which arecommon to the present invention, none of them appear to have the design,economic durability, efficiency and installation advantages of thepresent invention which will be subsequently described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a fastener assemblycomprising a retainer and a threaded fastener carried thereby in whichthe retainer comprises a unitary one-piece body made from a flexiblematerial and having an A-shape or triangular configuration prior to useand after the retainer body has been inserted through a restrictive holein the supporting structure. The body is initially collapsed around thethreaded fastener to assume a clothes-pin configuration and thecollapsed fastener assembly is thereafter inserted through therestrictive hole of the supporting structure. The retainer of theassembly due to the flexibility of the material expands to its initialshape after insertion through the restrictive hole. Upon a force beingapplied to the threaded fastener in a direction away from the support,the legs of the retainer grip the support. The threading of the threadedfastener into the retainer while at the same time maintaining said forceis effective to expand the legs of the retainer to increase the area ofthe legs in frictional contact with the supporting structure thusincreasing the tensile strength of the fastener assembly.

Another feature is to provide a plastic retainer of unitary constructionthat is internally triangulated under a load to bridge the weight awayfrom the installation hole, while placing its members in tension andcompression, not only on flat, but concave, and convex, and mostirregular surfaces as well.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a retainer of theaforementioned type which is made from a plastic material having certainadvantages over prior art devices including fabricating the retainer ina unitary body, is light weight, noncorrosive, non-conductive anddampens vibrations when in use.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide a flexibleretainer of the aforementioned type which permits its end use as ananchor, clamp, cushion, hanger, leg, puller, or shock absorber.

A still further feature of the present invention is to provide aretainer of the aforementioned type which due to the flexibilitythereof, may be contoured to fit varied surfaces which are flat,concave, convex, irregular, compound, circular or to surfaces which formacute or obtuse angles.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a retainer of theaforementioned type wherein the body has a sleeve at the apex of thetriangular configuration which is provided with a centrally locatedopening for the threaded fastener and with the sleeve being providedwith a pair of integrally formed outwardly diverging flexible legs. Withsuch a construction, a flexible control strut is spaced from the sleeveand has the ends thereof integrally connected to the outer ends of theflexible legs to control the surface area of the flexible legs incontact with the support surface to effectively distribute the load.With such a construction, the greater the load applied to the retainer,the more surface areas of the legs are in contact with the supportsurface to distribute the load. This is accomplished without anyincrease in the diameter of the restrictive hole in the supportingstructure which normally is one half inch diameter or smaller for mosthousehold and electrical fastening applications. During the loading ofthe retainer the flexible control strut is placed in tension and thelegs are placed in compression.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a retainerof the aforementioned type where the size of same may be varied for usein various strength applications.

A still further feature of the present invention is to provide afastener assembly of the aforementioned type which, due to theflexibility of the retainer and to the frictional contact between thelegs of the retainer and the supporting structure, can be used withlight sheet metal or other thin materials forming the supportingstructure without damaging or distorting such structure.

The fastener assembly of the present invention, when installed at oneside of a supporting structure, can support swinging loads and withstandshock or lateral impact or forces on the supported load without anydamage to the supporting surface. During installation, the collapsedfastener does not chip or enlarge the restrictive hole in the supportingstructure. Once installed and in use at maximum load, the threadedfastener is not normally damaged.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a fastenerassembly for use in a blind hole where the retainer is folded around thethreaded element, and the assembly is inserted into the blind hole.Rotation of the threaded element collapses, expands or folds the strutportions of the retainer thereby urging the legs of the retainerradially outwardly into tight frictional contact with the wall of theblind hole.

Finally it is a feature of the present invention to provide a resilientretainer and a fastener assembly which are simple in construction;contain relatively fewer parts than prior art devices; are easy tomanufacture; are efficient in operation; and are economical to maintain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the flexible retainer;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the retainer;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the retainer;

FIG. 4 is a section view of a leg of the retainer taken on the line 4--4of FIG. 3 and on the enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the retainer in a folded position priorto insertion through a restrictive opening;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the fastener assembly, with the flexibleretainer in a collapsed or folded position around the threaded fastener,and with the assembly being inserted through the opening in a supportingstructure;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the fastener assembly mounted on one sideof the supporting structure immediately after installation;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are front elevations of the mounted fastener assembly invarious stages of loading after the threaded fastener has been rotatedto expand the retainer and due to its internal triangulation has placedthe strut in tension and compressed the legs of the retainer;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of a mounted fastener assembly, with thestrut in tension and the legs in compression and with the legs and lowersleeve applying compression to the threaded element to assist inmaintaining the load applied to the fastener assembly;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating afastener assembly utilizing a pair of loaded retainers used for applyingcompression to a pair of plates while still permitting lateral movementof the plates if required for a specific job application;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation of another embodiment of the flexibleretainer primarily suited for use in a blind hole;

FIG. 13 is a horizontal section view through a fastener assembly takenon the line 13--13 of FIG. 16 and illustrating the various points ofcontact between the legs of the retainer and the blind hole and on anenlarged scale;

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate the modified retainer of FIG. 12 having aplug inserted in the control strut and located in a blind hole (FIG. 14)and with the threading of the threaded element into the hole resultingin the folding, expanding and collapsing of the strut and the expansionof the legs into frictional contact with the blind hole as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16;

FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 illustrate the same modified retainer of FIG. 12 ina blind hole and which is utilized in conjunction with a wedge which isengaged by the threaded element and is driven downwardly into the blindhole upon the threading of the threaded element into the blind holethereby applying pressure to the legs resulting in frictional contact ofthe legs with the wall of the blind hole;

FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of theflexible retainer which is primarily suited for use in a blind hole;

FIGS. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 are front elevational views, partly insection, of the modified retainer of FIG. 20 inserted in a blind hole,with the control strut being shown in various collapsed or foldedpositions upon the threading of the threaded element into the blind holeresulting in the frictional contact of the legs with the wall of theblind hole as shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of still another embodiment of theretainer which is primarily suited for use in a blind hole;

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate the modified retainer of FIG. 26, with thesleeve end thereof inserted first into the blind hole and with thethreaded fastener being rotated to expand the control strut portions andurge the legs of the retainer into frictional contact with the wall ofthe blind hole;

FIG. 29 illustrates a modified retainer provided with inwardly turnedmounting flanges on the legs thereof for attaching the retainer to aframe without utilizing a screw or bolt;

FIG. 30 illustrates a modified retainer of FIG. 29 supporting a pipe orconduit and being mounted on a frame without requiring a screw or bolt;

FIG. 31 is a front elevation of still another modified retainer;

FIG. 32 illustrates a modified blind hole retainer having downwardly andinwardly turned locking tabs on the inner surfaces of the legs;

FIG. 33 illustrates the retainer of FIG. 32 located in a blind holeprior to the complete insertion of the bolt;

FIG. 34 illustrates the retainer of FIG. 32 and FIG. 33 being expandedin the blind hole upon the threading of the bolt; and

FIG. 35 illustrates the modified retainer of FIG. 32 firmly anchored inan opening of a dry wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The fastener assembly 10 comprises only two components including aflexible retainer or truss nut 12 of unitary construction and a threadedfastener or element 14. The retainer 12 is formed by a molding orcasting operation from a resilient or flexible material such as nylon ora plastic material such as polypropylene of the high impact type. Thethreaded fastener 14 is commercially available and may take differentforms such as a threaded bolt as in FIG. 6 or a threaded element securedto a hook as shown in the parent application.

The retainer 12, shown in full size in the drawings, has a one-pieceunitary body 16 of generally A-shape or triangular configuration (FIG.1). The body 16 is of substantially equal width from top to bottom asshown in FIG. 3 except at the tips of the legs. The body 16 issymmetrical about axis 18 and has a sleeve 20 of generally rectangularcross-section at the apex of the triangular configuration as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 with axis 18 extending through the center of the sleeve20. A non-threaded opening 22 concentric with axis 18 extends throughthe sleeve 20 from the flat top surface 24 to the bottom flat surface26. The opening 22 may be threaded rather than having the fastener 14cut the threads in opening 22. p The sleeve 20 has two pairs of edges 28and 29. The pair of edges 28 located on opposite sides of the axis 18 isprovided with a pair of integrally formed outwardly diverging elongatedflexible legs 30. Each of the legs 30 has a width generally equal to thedistance between the other pair of opposing edges 29 of the sleeve 20 asshown in FIGS. 2. A flexible control strut or spreader 32 is axiallyspaced below the sleeve 20 and is located entirely between the legs 30.The strut 32 is of V-shape and includes a central strut portion 36located axially beneath and spaced from the bottom surface 26 of sleeve20. The distance between the outer ends of the legs 30 is approximatelythe same as the height of the retainer 10 measured along the axis 18.

The strut 32 includes a pair of outwardly diverging strut portions orextendable side portions 34 located on opposite sides of the centralstrut portion 36. The strut 32 has a width equal to the width of thelegs 30. The strut portions 34 have the outer ends integrally connectedto the inner surfaces of the legs 30 near the tips thereof as shown inFIG. 1. The central strut portion 36 is of rectangular cross section andhas a centrally located non-threaded aperture 38 surrounding the axis18. The aperture 38 has a diameter larger than the diameter of opening22. The strut portions 34 of the control strut 32 diverge downwardly andaway from the central strut portion 36 as shown in FIG. 1 prior to use.The strut portions 34 bend about the edges of the central strut portion36 as shown in FIGS. 5-10 inclusive when the retainer is loaded, withthe strut 32 being placed in tension while the legs 30 are placed incompression.

The legs 30 have an inner surface 40 and an outer surface 42 havingelongated raised ribs for stiffening purposes as will subsequently bedescribed. The ribs extend from sleeve 20 to the feet or tips 44 at thebottom of the legs 30.

The inner surfaces 40 of the legs 30 and the inner surfaces 46 and 48provided on the outwardly diverging strut portions 34 and on the centralstrut portion 36 respectively surround an opening 49 which extendscompletely through the body 16.

The outer surface 42 of each leg 30 has a series of steps or ribs orsurfaces provided thereon designated 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 asillustrated in FIG. 4. Each leg 30 is symmetrical as shown in FIGS. 2and 3 and thus the same numerals have been utilized to designatecorresponding surfaces or ribs in FIG. 4. Each rib of leg 30 extendsgenerally from the lower portion of the sleeve 20 substantially theentire length of the leg 30 to the area where the strut 32 is connectedthereto. Each tip 44 has a thickness and a width less than thecorresponding dimensions of the remaining parts of the legs 30. Tips 44are formed by surfaces 56, 58 and 60 extending beyond the intersectionof the strut 32 with legs 30 as shown in FIGS. 1-3 inclusive. The legtips 44 help to direct the movement of the legs 30 when the fastenerassembly 10 is loaded.

After manufacture the retainer 12 has the size and configuration shownin FIGS. 1-3 inclusive and FIG. 5. Thereafter, the threaded element 14is inserted through the opening 38 in the central strut portion 36 ofstrut 32. Clearance is provided between the threaded element 14 and thenon-threaded opening 38. The leading end of the element 14 threads thenon-threaded opening 22 in sleeve 20. As noted previously it may bedesirable to form threads in the opening 22 of sleeve 20 at the time thebody 16 is manufactured or such threads may be formed during a secondaryoperation.

The support structure 62 may be a ceiling, wall, panel or the like fromwhich an object is to be attached or suspended. The support structure 62is provided with a restrictive opening 64 of circular configurationnormally of a one half inch diameter or less. The structure 62 has asupport surface 66 normally hidden from view and a front surface 68. Thesupport surface 66 may be flat as illustrated or the surface may beconcave, convex, irregular, compound or circular. Also the fastenerassembly 10 may be used with a pair of intersecting surfaces having anacute angle or an obtuse angle therebetween.

In installing the fastener assembly 10, the flexible legs 30 arecollapsed or folded to the clothespin configuration of FIG. 6 andthereafter the collapsed assembly 10 is inserted through the opening 64in the support structure 62. Once the collapsed retainer 12 on assembly10 emerges from hole 64, it expands, with the retainer 12 assuming theposition shown in FIG. 7. There the leg tips 44 just contact the supportsurface 66. The tips 44 direct the movement of legs 30.

Thereafter a force is applied to the threaded element 14 to increase thefrictional contact between the tips 44 of the legs 30 and the supportingsurface 66 while at the same time the element 14 is rotated in adirection to thread same into the sleeve 20. As a result thereof thestrut 32 is placed in tension and moves away from sleeve 20 as shown inFIG. 8 and the legs are placed in compression. Thus more surface area ofthe end portions of legs 30 contact support surface 66 therebypermitting the carrying of a larger load. The pressure applied by screwor bolt 14 expands the legs 30, while the web or strut 32 limits thespread of the legs 30 and thus causes the legs 30 to collapse inwardbecause of the triangular design of the retainer 10.

A pair of arrows A are shown in FIG. 7 which indicates the direction ofthe leg movement when a load is applied to the bolt or threaded fastener14. The application of the load as shown in FIG. 8 is effective to placethe center web or strut 32 in tension and the legs 30 in compression. Asthe bolt 14 is further loaded, the upper leg portions 30' of the legs 30collapse (FIG. 9) as a result of the center web 32 being in tension. Asthe load on fastener or bolt 14 is further increased, the upper legportions 30' and lower head portion 20 along side 28 collapse further asillustrated in FIG. 10. At such time the inner surfaces 40 of the outerlegs 30 contact bolt or fastener 14 and apply compression thereto toincrease the holding action. As noted in FIG. 10 the bottom surface ofthe strut 32 provides additional or increased area (over the area ofFIG. 9) which contacts the support surface 66 and assists indistributing the load applied to the fastener assembly 10 over a largerarea of the support surface 66. It should also be noted that the controlstrut 32 in FIGS. 7-10 inclusive directs or transfers the load carriedby the fastener assembly 10 to the legs 30 which contact the supportsurface 66 a distance away from and thereby bridging the hole 64. Thethreaded fastener 14 is provided with a washer 70 adjacent the head endthereof.

It should be noted that in FIGS. 7-10 inclusive the web or strut 32spans the insertion hole 64 and keeps the applied load at the tips ofthe legs 30. In use when the strut or web 32 should fail at maximumload, the legs 30 and sleeve 20 in compression will still support theapplied load. Thus the retainer has a built in safety feature such thatwhen the strut fails the legs and sleeve in compression will catch orhold the load.

FIG. 11 illustrates another application of the retainer or truss nut 12.In such an application a pair of retainers 12 are located on oppositesides of a pair of vertically mounted plates 74 having openings 76therein. The plates 74 are in abutting or sliding relation foradjustment purposes. The openings 22 in the sleeve 20 of the retainers12 are aligned horizontally and a threaded fastener 78 is inserted firstthrough one retainer 12, openings 76 provided in plates 74 and thenthrough the sleeve 20 of the other retainer 12. Rotation of the threadedfastener 78 from either end is effective to compress the legs 30 asindicated by the arrows B while at the same time permitting lateral orvertical movement in the direction indicated by arrows C. Also theplates can be held firm without screws or adhesives.

Modified retainers for blind hole applications as well as the locationof the modified retainers in blind holes are illustrated in FIGS. 12-28inclusive. The same numerals used to identify the component parts ofretainer 12 will be used to designate corresponding parts in themodified retainers.

Retainer or truss nut 80 (FIG. 12) is generally identical to theretainer 12 of FIG. 1 with the exception that the upper end of thesleeve 20 is provided with a radially extending flange 82 which isdesigned to close the upper end of a blind hole 84 as shown in FIGS.14-19 inclusive.

The retainer 80 may be utilized with a plug 86 carried by the centralstrut portion 36 of strut 32 as shown in FIGS. 14-16 inclusive or may beutilized with a wedge 88 located between the sides or elongated strutportions 34 of the control strut 32 as illustrated in FIGS. 17-19inclusive.

The plug 86 has a cylindrical stem 89 which fits into the opening 38provided in the central strut portion 36 of the strut 32. The plug 86further includes an annular flange portion 90 having an upwardly openingrecess 92 for piloting the leading end of the fastener 14. The flangeportion 90 of plug 86 abuts the central strut portion 36 as shown inFIG. 14.

After the insertion of the plug 86 into the opening 38 of strut 32, theretainer 80 is folded into the form of a clothespin; is inserted in afolded condition into the blind hole 84; and assumes the position shownin FIG. 14. Thereafter, the fastener 14 is threaded into the sleeve 20and the leading end thereof is brought into engagement with the recess92 of plug 86. Rotation of the threaded fastener 14 into the blind hole84 is initially effective as shown in FIG. 15 to urge the side portion34 of the strut 32 towards one another into abutting engagement. Furtherrotation of the threaded fastener 14 is effective to bend, fold andcompress the component parts of the strut 32 in the configuration ormanner illustrated in FIG. 16. As a result of the folding andcompressing of the strut 32, a lateral or outwardly extending force iscreated which urges and forces the legs 30 of the retainer 80 into tightfitting frictional engagement with the side wall of the blind hole 84.As illustrated in FIG. 13, each leg 30 grips or bites into the wall ofthe blind hole 84 at the longitudinal edges D, E, F, G, H and I definedby the intersecting surfaces 50, 52; 54, 56; and 58, 60.

In FIGS. 17-19 inclusive the wedge 88 has a thickness generally equal tothe width of the strut 32 and the legs 30. Initially the retainer 80 isfolded and the wedge 88 is placed beneath the control strut 32 inengagement with the central strut portion 36 and the sides 34.Thereafter the modified retainer 80 is inserted into the blind hole 84,with the flange 82 being generally at surface level as illustrated inFIG. 17. The fastener 14 is thereafter threaded into the sleeve 20 andthe leading end thereof abuts the top surface on the wedge 88 as shownin FIG. 18. Continued rotation of the threaded fastener 14 into theblind hole 84 is effective to move the wedge 88 vertically downwardlytowards the bottom of the blind hole 84. As a result thereof the sides34 of strut 32 are moved radially apart which is effective to forciblymove or urge the legs 30 of the modified retainer 80 radially outwardlyinto tight frictional engagement with the side wall of the blind hole asshown in FIG. 19 and as generally represented by FIG. 13.

Another modified retainer is illustrated in FIG. 20 and is designated bythe numeral 94. It is identical to retainer 12 with the exception thatit is provided with a flange 96 on the upper end of the sleeve 20 and bythe provision of a recess 98 in the central strut portion 36 of strut32. In other words, no through hole 38 is provided in the central strutportion as in retainer 12.

In operation, the modified retainer 94 is folded along its central axisinto a clothespin configuration and is thereafter inserted into theblind hole 84 as shown in FIG. 21. Thereafter a bolt 100 is threadedinto the sleeve 20 of the fastener 94 and the leading end thereof ispiloted in the recess 98 provided in the central strut portion 36.Rotation of the bolt 100 into the blind opening 84 initially bows orbends the lower portions 102 of the sides 34 of strut 32 inwardly asnoted in FIG. 22. Continued rotation of the bolt 100 urges the componentparts of the strut portions 32 together into abutting relationshipillustrated in FIG. 23. Further rotation of the bolt 100 into the blindhole 84 is effective to bend, fold and to compress the strut 32 asillustrated in FIG. 24. Finally after additional rotation the head endof the bolt 100 bottoms against the flange 96 at the time when the strut32 has been bent, folded and compressed thus creating a force whichurges the legs 30 of the retainer 94 into tight fitting frictionalengagement with the side wall of the blind hole 84.

It will be noted in the blind hole applications illustrated in FIGS.14-19 inclusive and in FIGS. 21-25 inclusive that the legs 30 of eachretainer are inserted first into the blind hole 84, with the sleeve endof the retainer being located adjacent the surface at the open end ofthe hole 84. With the blind hole application illustrated in FIGS. 27 and28, the sleeve end of the retainer 110 is inserted first into the blindhole.

Retainer 110 illustrated in FIG. 26 is identical to the retainer 12 ofFIG. 1 with the exception that the tips 44 of the legs 30 in FIG. 1 havebeen cut off and severed along perpendicular lines 112 to providechamfers 116 on the ends of the legs. The retainer 110 is folded aboutits axis and is thereafter inserted into the blind hole 118. A fastener120 is provided for connecting any part, member or element 122 to thewall surface 124 having the blind hole 118 therein. After the retainer110 is inserted in hole 118, the member 122 is brought into engagementwith the outer surface 124 surrounding the blind hole 118. The fastener120 extends first through the opening 126 provided in element 122 andthereafter through the central strut portion 36 and into threadedengagement with the opening 22 in sleeve 20. The fastener 120 is rotatedinto the blind hole 118 with the result that the legs 30 because of thechamfers 116 are bottomed out on the back surface 128 of the part orelement 122 being mounted. Once the legs 30 bottom out on the element122 the legs 30 start to bulge outwardly at their middle due to thecompression thereof. Once the legs 30 have been compressed to theirfullest extent, the retainer 110 thereafter twists a certain amountwhich allows further compression of the retainer 110 and aids to lockthe retainer 110 in the hole 118.

FIG. 29 illustrates a modified truss nut or retainer 130 having a sleeve20, legs 30 and a solid control strut 32 which is connected to the outerends of the legs 30 like the other retainers discussed previously. Inaddition, the inner surface of each leg 30 below strut 32 is providedwith a curl or inturned flange 132 which in its free state extendsgenerally towards the center axis 134. The modified truss nut orretainer 130 utilizes the curls or flanges 132 for attaching theretainer to the supporting surface for the purpose of attaching a part,element, conduit or the like to a framing system without using a screwor bolt.

FIG. 30 illustrates a framing system 136 having a vertical flange 138and a horizontal flange 140. A series of modified truss nuts orretainers 130 are suspended from the flange 140 via the retaining tabsor flanges 132 as shown. The strut 32 is placed in tension while thelegs 30 are in compression thereby holding the flanges 132 on theframing system 136.

The series of modified retainers 130 mounted on the framing system 136support, as an example, a conduit, wiring, plumbing or other elementdesignated by the numeral 142. The sleeve 20 may be provided with athreaded opening as shown so that an element may be attached to thesleeve ends of the retainers 130.

The modified retainer 150 of FIG. 31 is similar to retainer 12illustrated in FIG. 1 and in addition is provided with a pair ofgenerally parallel vertical webs 152 which extend from the head orsleeve 20 to the control web or strut 32. Such webs 152 are used inorder to strengthen the retainer 150 for certain job applications.

FIG. 32 illustrates a modified blind hole retainer 94' which is similarto the retainer 94 of FIG. 20 with the exception that the inner surfacesof the leg 30 have been provided with downwardly and inturnly turnedlocking tabs 160. The tabs 160 will help to prevent the installer frompushing the web or strut 32 out of the bottom of the blind hole if toolong a screw or bolt 100 were used. Also the tabs 160 will transfer thepressure of the strut or web 32 to the outer legs 30 thus locking theretainer 94' tighter in the blind hole, specifically at the bottom.

FIG. 33 is similar in certain respects to FIG. 22 with the exceptionthat the tabs 160 are shown parallel and in engagement after the bolt100 has been initially threaded into the blind opening 84 and the strut32 has started to bend or bow. As the threaded fastener 100 is furtherrotated into the blind opening 84, the component parts of the controlstrut 32 are brought into abutting engagement and are bent, folded andcollapsed (similar to FIGS. 23 and 24) until finally a generally solidmass (or form of C-lock) is formed as illustrated in FIG. 34.

The tabs 160 will also allow the use of this design in a hole where thewalls of the installation hole are not the full length of the legs, asan example, in a dry wall 166 as illustrated in FIG. 35. This will beachieved because the tabs 160 when pushed through hole 168 will create abulge on the back side 170 of the wall 166 as noted in FIG. 35. Withsuch a construction the web 32 pushes on the legs 30 and tabs 160 tocreate the aforesaid bulge (or form of C-lock). The tabs 160 also stopthe web 32 from being pushed completely through the opening or hole 168.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retainer for mounting at one side of asupporting structure having an opening therein, said retainer beingbendable and inserted from the other side of the supporting structurethrough said opening and thereafter returning to its initial shape dueto its design and the resiliency of the material thus to engage the oneside of the supporting structure, said retainer being adapted to be usedwith a threaded element which extends from the other side of thesupporting structure through the opening into the retainer, saidretainer comprising a flexible unitary one-piece body made from aplastic material, said body having an axis which is adapted to extendthrough the opening in the supporting structure, said body being ofgenerally triangular configuration and having at the apex thereof asleeve provided with a sleeve opening surrounding said axis, said sleevebeing of rectangular cross section and having two pairs of opposingedges, said sleeve at one pair of opposing edges being provided with apair of integrally formed outwardly diverging elongated flexible legs,the outer ends of said legs being adapted to engage the one side of thesupporting structure, each of said legs having a width generally equalto the distance between the other pair of opposing edges of said sleeve,and an elongated flexible control strut spaced axially from said sleeveand located entirely between said legs, said strut having the endsthereof integrally connected to the outer ends of said outwardlydiverging elongated flexible legs for limiting the spread of said legs,said control strut being of V-shape and including a central strutportion located axially beneath and spaced from said sleeve and a pairof outwardly diverging strut portions, each of said outwardly divergingstrut portions being integrally connected to said central strut portionand to one of the flexible legs near the outer end thereof, said centralstrut portion having a central aperture axially aligned with and spacedfrom said sleeve opening and through which the threaded element isadapted to extend, said control strut being adapted to be moved awayfrom said sleeve and towards the one side of the supporting structureand to be placed in tension thereby bending said outwardly divergingflexible legs and placing same in compression upon the threading of thethreaded element into the opening in said sleeve, the outer ends of saidlegs being provided with relatively thin flexible tips which are adaptedto engage the one side of the supporting structure for frictionalcontact and to direct easy movement of the legs.
 2. The retainer definedin claim 1 wherein the inner surfaces of the upper parts of said legsand adjacent area of said sleeve are adapted to place in compression thethreaded element upon the loading of same.
 3. The retainer defined inclaim 1 wherein the inner surfaces of said legs are smooth, the outersurfaces of said legs being provided with elongated raised ribsextending from said sleeve to the outer ends of said legs for greatersurface and cross-sectional area.
 4. The retainer defined in claim 3wherein the inner and outer surfaces of said strut are smooth and thestrut will gain frictional contact and bridge the insertion hole.
 5. Theretainer defined in claim 1 wherein the distance between the outer endsof said legs is the same as the height of said retainer measured alongsaid axis except for the leg tips.
 6. A fastener assembly comprising incombination a retainer for mounting at one side of a supportingstructure having an opening therein and a threaded element which isadapted to extend from the other side of the supporting structurethrough the opening into the retainer, said retainer being foldable andinserted from the other side of the supporting structure through saidopening and thereafter returning to its initial shape due to its designand the resiliency of the material thus to engage the one side of thesupporting structure, said retainer comprising a flexible unitaryone-piece body made from a plastic material, said body having an axiswhich is adapted to extend through the opening in the supportingstructure, said body being of generally triangular configuration andhaving at the apex thereof a sleeve provided with a sleeve openingsurrounding said axis, said sleeve being of rectangular cross sectionand having two pairs of opposing edges, said sleeve at one pair ofopposing edges being provided with a pair of integrally formed outwardlydiverging elongated flexible legs, the outer ends of said legs beingadapted to engage the one side of the supporting structure, each of saidlegs having a width generally equal to the distance between the otherpair of opposing edges of said sleeve, an elongated flexible controlstrut spaced axially from said sleeve and located entirely between saidlegs, said strut having the ends thereof integrally connected to theouter ends of said outwardly diverging elongated flexible legs forlimiting the spread of said legs, said control strut being of V-shapeand including a central strut portion located axially beneath and spacedfrom said sleeve and a pair of outwardly diverging strut portions, eachof said outwardly diverging strut portions being integrally connected tosaid central strut portion and to one of the flexible legs near theouter end thereof, said central strut portion having a central apertureaxially aligned with and spaced from said sleeve opening, said threadedelement extending along said axis through said central aperture withclearance therebetween into threaded engagement with the opening in saidsleeve, said control strut being moved away from said sleeve and adaptedto be moved towards the one side of the supporting structure and placedin tension thereby bending said outwardly diverging flexible legs andplacing same in compression upon the threading of said threaded elementinto the opening in said sleeve, the outer ends of said legs beingprovided with relatively thin flexible tips which engage the one side ofthe supporting structure for frictional contact and to direct easymovement of the legs.
 7. The fastener assembly defined in claim 6wherein the inner surfaces of the upper parts of said legs and adjacentpart of said sleeve grip the threaded element and place same undercompression upon the loading of the retainer.
 8. The fastener assemblydefined in claim 6 wherein the inner surfaces of said legs are smooth,the outer surfaces of said legs being provided with elongated raisedribs extending from said sleeve to the tips of said legs for greatersurface area and cross sectional area.